Fire guts late Murtala Mohammed’s family home, destroys nine rooms

A devastating fire has destroyed nine rooms at the family residence of the late Tamale Central Member of Parliament, Murtala Mohammed, in Tamale, prompting an emergency response from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS).

The incident occurred on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, sending shock through the community just as the nation prepares to commemorate the first anniversary of the tragic military helicopter crash that claimed the lives of the former lawmaker and seven others.

According to the Northern Regional Public Relations Officer of the Ghana National Fire Service, ADO I Hudu Baba, the Service received a distress call at 3:29 p.m., with firefighters arriving at the scene just eight minutes later at 3:37 p.m.

The rapid response enabled emergency personnel to rescue two schoolchildren who had become trapped inside one of the rooms during the blaze.

Firefighters battled the flames for several minutes before successfully bringing the fire under control and preventing it from spreading to the remaining sections of the property.

The GNFS confirmed that nine out of the 17 rooms in the house were extensively damaged by the fire.

However, emergency responders managed to save the remaining portions of the building through their timely intervention, preventing what could have been a much larger disaster.

No fatalities or injuries were reported apart from the successful rescue of the two children.

Authorities have not yet disclosed the estimated value of property lost in the incident.

The Ghana National Fire Service has launched an investigation to establish the cause of the fire and determine the full extent of the damage.

Fire investigators are expected to examine the scene and gather evidence to determine whether the blaze resulted from an electrical fault, accidental ignition or any other cause.

Officials have indicated that further information will be made available once investigations are completed.

The fire comes at a poignant moment, almost one year after the death of Murtala Mohammed in one of Ghana's worst aviation tragedies in recent history.

The former Tamale Central MP was among the eight prominent Ghanaians who died in the military helicopter crash that occurred in the Adansi area of the Ashanti Region on August 6, 2025.

The delegation had departed Accra on an official assignment to the Ashanti Region when the helicopter crashed, killing everyone on board.

The victims included former Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, former Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Limuna Muniru Mohammed, National Democratic Congress (NDC) National Vice Chairman Dr. Samuel Sarpong, former parliamentary candidate Samuel Aboagye, and three military crew members.

The tragedy plunged Ghana into mourning and prompted renewed discussions on aviation safety, emergency response systems and national disaster preparedness.

The latest fire incident at the late MP's family home has once again drawn attention to the family as Ghanaians remember the lives lost in the helicopter disaster one year ago.